An Introduction to Residency Interviews

You’ll be relieved to learn that most residency interviews are pleasant experiences. Programs want you to learn about them as much as they want to learn about you. Since a compatible match is in everyone's best interest, you should encounter few to no adversarial interviews.

Most residency interview visits are day-long affairs. While no one format exists, generally anticipate you’ll tour the facilities, as well as interview with the program director, two or three faculty members, and one or two residents. You might also attend rounds or eat lunch with faculty or residents. Often, programs host a reception for all interviewees the night before the official interview day.

Because of the length of residency interviews, you’re required to be "on" for long periods. As such, the interview trail can be grueling. Ensure you schedule interviews so you'll have plenty of energy to make a good impression and plenty of time to learn as much as you would like about each program.

Poorly executed interviews do occur. To make the best impression, follow these guidelines:

1. Prepare in advance

The first impressions you make and your answers to common questions will both have an impact on the outcome. Many schools offer mock interviews with faculty, which are a good way to practice.

2. Be professional and respectful to everyone

This should go without saying: The whole experience is an interview, starting when the program contacts you to offer the interview, and ending with your last communication prior to the match. Even casual interactions with the administrative staff, current residents, or other applicants may be considered when you’re evaluated for a position.

3. Ask thoughtful questions

Information about salary, benefits and on-call hours will be provided in advance through information packets or can be found on the program’s website. Asking about them during the interview reflects poorly on you. Instead, impress your interviewers by asking questions that help you evaluate the program as a good fit for your educational and career goals.

4. Send thank-you notes

Follow up to thank the program director and key faculty, unless the program specifically requests otherwise. Ask your interviewers for their business cards so you’ll have their contact information at hand. Use your thank-you notes to highlight important points that remind the interviewer of your time with them, and reiterate your interest.

Don't Forget to Ask!

Members of the AAMC's Organization Student Representatives (OSR) created this useful list of questions for residency applicants.

Training in a Residency or Fellowship

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association dedicated to transforming health care through innovative medical education, cutting-edge patient care, and groundbreaking medical research. Its members are all 152 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 51 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and more than 80 academic societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC serves the leaders of America’s medical schools and teaching hospitals and their more than 173,000 full-time faculty members, 89,000 medical students, 129,000 resident physicians, and more than 60,000 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the biomedical sciences.